Elastomer seal for modular roadbeds

ABSTRACT

An elastomer joint seal used in modular, slab-like construction for pavements, roads, wall panels and the like. The seal is generally elongated and is placed between facing edges of adjacent modular elements. A pair of spring elements, lodged in the form of an inverted V, runs longitudinally of the seal. By virtue of the internal geometry of the elastomer seal, movement of the modular elements relative to each other strains the spring elements in their respective planes. Two other forms of the seal are disclosed in which one or two additional spring elements are included in the construction.

[ 1March 13, 1973 Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Thomas J. Holko Attorney-Harold T. Stowell et al.

[57] ABSTRACT An elastomer joint seal used in modular, slab-like construction for pavements, roads, wall panels and the like. The seal is generally elongated and is placed between facing edges of adjacent modular elements. A pair of spring elements, lodged in the form of an inverted V, runs longitudinally of the seal. By virtue of the internal geometry of the elastomer seal, movement of the modular elements relative to each other strains the spring elements in their respective planes. Two

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Muted States Patent 1 Pare [54] ELASTOMER SEAL FOR MODULAR ROADBEDS [76] Inventor: Robert Lee Pare, H06 Turks Head Bldg, Providence, R.l. 02903 22 Filed: Sept. 7, 1971 [21] App]. No.: 177,953

[52] 'U.S. Cl. 404/67, 52/396, 94/182 [51] Int. 11/12 [58] Field of Search ....94/l8, 18.2; 52/396, 401, 403

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Lm m a" m m w a l eo re h a THPD 6890 66677 99999 11111 1214] l 1 54370 26398 68945 86705 33333 ELASTOMER SEAL FOR MODULAR ROADBEDS This invention relates to a seal for use in joints for pavements, roadbeds, wall panels, and the like wherein the pavement, road, wall panel, is composed of a plurality of modular sections or units each subject to expansion and contraction as occasioned by changes in ambient temperature or moisture.

This invention is an improvement on my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,597, issued Apr. 7, 1970. In that patent, a joint seal is disclosed having a generally square cross section defined by two vertically disposed wall portions whose upper and lower edges are joined by continuous top and bottom flexible closure portions. A spring element, positioned in and defining a single plane, is vertically arranged midway of the seal, between the vertically disposed side wall portions. According to the disclosure in that patent, movement of the modular sections between which the joint seal was placed resulted in distortion of the spring element in its own (vertical) plane. Such distortion or strain was caused by two mid portions of the seal moving towards (and away from) each other in a vertical plane.

While this construction has been found to exhibit the several features described in the above patent, many actual embodiments of the invention have not behaved as expected. In actual practice, with many of the seals constructed in accordance with the above patent, these midportions have moved in directions away from a vertical plane, the mid portions initially moving towards each other in a vertical plane and then moving laterally. The locus of the entire motion, for a given point on the apex, is a curve whose starting point is on the vertical plane midway of the sides of the seal but which thereafter wanders off in some other vertical plane. This behavior results in a loss of restoring force by the spring and is believed to be caused by imperfections in manufacture, as well as diff culties in inserting the spring element. The present invention overcomes the above noted behavior.

According to the practice of the present invention, a seal such as shown in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,597 is provided with two spring elements, each lying more or less in a single plane, with these elements lodged or positioned in the seal in the form of an inverted V. By virtue of this construction, substantially the same spring force magnifying effect is obtained, upon motion of the modular sections, while at the same time the mid point of the top closure portion behaves in the theoretical or anticipated manner. That is to say, the mid point executes motion in a vertical plane. Still further, because the spring elements are lodged in the seal in the form of an inverted V, the bottom closure element need not be employed as an abutment for the vertically disposed spring element such as element 34 of my U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,597. This advantage permits use of a lesser quantity of elastomer, the bottom portion of the seal being closed only by a relatively thin elastomer or other flexible element.

IN THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a perspective and partially broken view of an entire joint seal of this invention according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the joint seal illustrated at FIG. I,

FIG. is a plan view of the spring element illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating an embodiment,

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, and illustrates still another embodiment.

Turning now to the drawings, the numerals 10 and 12 denote adjacent and facing modular roadbed sections of concrete or the like. It will be understood that the sections 10 and 12 may be modular sections of building panels, such as concrete or other materials, as well as wall panels. The roadbed concrete sections 10 and 12 are each formed with a ledge 14, such as illustrated on section 10, and each has a top or load-bearing portion 16 and 18. In the case of a roadbed, it will be understood that the surfaces 16 and 18 constitute adjacent surfaces which may either define a primary load bearing surface or may be covered with a suitable cover or secondary layer such as asphalt.

The numeral 20 denotes generally an elastomer seal element according to this invention and is in the form of upstanding or vertically disposed panes 24 and 26 running longitudinally of the joint. The direction of vehicular traffic, in the case of a roadbed, is thus at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the seal 20. The upstanding walls 24 and 26 integrally join leg portions 28 and 30, these elements being formed as by extrusion molding. Leg portions 28 and 30 similarly are elongated panel members which run the entire length of the joint and are coextensive with the side members 24 and 26. An apex 32 is defined by the lower juncture of legs 28 and 30. The numeral 33 represents an elongated channel in the underside of the apex portion 32. The numerals 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 denote web portions, similarly integral with the remaining structure, which function to close the top of the seal. Similarly, integral portions 46 and 48 may be employed to close the bottom of the seal. Ribs 51 are formed on the seal as indicated at the top and bottom of the vertical portions in order to improve the effectiveness of the seal between the joint seal and the modular elements 10 and 12. The numeral 52 denotes the lower edges of the seal.

Spring elements denoted by the numeral 50 are positioned as indicated with the upper portion of each spring element lying in longitudinal groove 33 as indicated at FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The lower edges of each spring 50 are positioned in a complementary and longitudinal recess in lower edges 52. The springs 50 may be as shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,597. When in the configuration of FIG. 2 of the drawings, the spring elements 50 are under slight compression in their own planes. That is to say, a force tending to push the apex 32 away from each lower edge 52 is exerted by each spring element 50.

When modular sections 10 and 12 move towards each other, the force is transmitted from side walls of the seal to leg members 28 and 30. Apex 32 tends to move downward in a vertical plane. Such downward motion of the apex is resisted by spring elements 50, thus maintaining a tight sealing engagement between the ribs 51 and modular elements 10 and 12. The magnitude of downward motion of the apex 32 is less than the magnitude of the actual displacement of modular sections 10 and 112 towards each other, thus permitting a lesser range of strain of spring elements 50. As set forth in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,597, this reduction in displacement allows a greater movement of the modular elements without the stress in the spring elements approaching the yield point of the spring. Further, in view of Young's law that stress is linearly proportional strain, this reduction in motion of apex 32 by virtue of the geometry of the seal allows the sealing force to be maintained more nearly constant. The inclination of spring elements 50 inhibits apex 32 from embarking upon motion other than motion in a vertical, symmetrical plane.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated at FIG. 4 of the drawings, a construction is illustrated wherein the top closure member and the bottom closure member are identical. The numerals 70 and 72 designate the lower leg members which correspond to the upper leg members 28 and 30 and are identical in construction. The numeral 74 denotes a lower apex which corresponds to apex 32. The numeral 60 denotes spring elements, identical with spring elements 50, and are symmetrically spaced and positioned as indicated. The operation of this embodiment is identical to the embodiments shown at FIGS. 1 and 2. That is to say, when expansion of modular sections 10 and 12 moves vertical wall portions 24 and 26 towards each other, the apices 32, 74 each undergo displacement in a vertical plane parallel to the sides 26 and 24. Any deviations from this vertical plane are inhibited by the location andpositioning of spring elements 50 and 60.

Referring now to FIG. of the drawings, still another embodiment of the invention is illustrated, here without, however, the top and bottom closure sealing flaps or panel members. As in FIG. 4, the numerals 28 and 30 denote upper leg members and numerals 70 and 72 denote lower leg members. Springs 50 are positioned in apex 32 by virtue of longitudinally running slots 76. A central spring 55, of the same general form and configuration as spring 50, is positioned in a vertical plane parallel to the sides and rests within the indicated longitudinal slots which face each other in apices 32 and 74. In this embodiment, the spring 55 more directly resists deformation and accordingly maintains a great portion of the sealing action between the grooves 51 on the side walls and the modular sections and 12. As previously noted, the side or lateral spring elements 50 inhibit other than vertical motion of apex 32. If desired, the identical covering by panel sections 32-44 may be employed or alternatively, panel sections of a similar nature may be employed.

What is claimed is:

l. A seal adapted to be placed between facing edges of adjacent modular units, such as roadbed slabs or wall panels, said sealincluding a. a pair of spaced, vertically disposed side walls each in the form ofa rectangular panel, a pair of legs coextensive with said side walls and disposed in the form ofa V, the upper ends of said legs secured, respectively, to the upper edges of said side panels, the lower ends of said legs joining to form an apex, said apex positioned between said side walls,

c. a pair of spring elements, positioned in the form of an inverted V, the upper edges of said spring elements positioned at and bearing against said apex, the lower edges of said spring elements positioned at the lower edges, respectively, of said side walls,

. whereby movement of the side walls towards each other is accompanied by vertical movement of the apex and compression of the spring members in their own respective planes.

2. The seal of claim 1 wherein said walls and legs are integral and are of elastomer.

3. The seal of claim 2 wherein said spring members are of metal wire.

4. The seal of claim 2 including a second pair of legs coextensive with said side walls, in the form of an inverted V, whose lower ends are secured, respectively, to the lower edges of said side walls and whose upper sides join to form an apex, and a second pair of spring elements disposed in the form of a V, with their upper edges positioned, respectively, at the upper edges of said side walls and their lower edges positioned at and bearing against the apex of said second pair of legs.

5. The seal of claim 4 wherein said second pair of spring members are of metal wire.

6. The seal of claim 1 including a second pair of legs, in the form of an inverted V and coextensive with said side walls, the lower ends of which are secured, respectively, to the lower edges of said side walls and whose upper ends join to form an apex, and a third spring element positioned between the apices of said first and second pair of legs and lying in a vertical plane midway of said side walls.

7. The seal of claim 6 wherein said pairs of legs and said side walls are of elastomer and are integral with said side walls. 

1. A seal adapted to be placed between facing edges of adjacent modular units, such as roadbed slabs or wall panels, said seal including a. a pair of spaced, vertically disposed side walls each in the form of a rectangular panel, b. a pair of legs coextensive with said side walls and disposed in the form of a V, the upper ends of said legs secured, respectively, to the upper edges of said side panels, the lower ends of said legs joining to form an apex, said apex positioned between said side walls, c. a pair of spring elements, positioned in the form of an inverted V, the upper edges of said spring elements positioned at and bearing against said apex, the lower edges of said spring elements positioned at the lower edges, respectively, of said side walls, d. whereby movement of the side walls towards each other is accompanied by vertical movement of the apex and compression of the spring members in their own respective planes.
 1. A seal adapted to be placed between facing edges of adjacent modular units, such as roadbed slabs or wall panels, said seal including a. a pair of spaced, vertically disposed side walls each in the form of a rectangular panel, b. a pair of legs coextensive with said side walls and disposed in the form of a V, the upper ends of said legs secured, respectively, to the upper edges of said side panels, the lower ends of said legs joining to form an apex, said apex positioned between said side walls, c. a pair of spring elements, positioned in the form of an inverted V, the upper edges of said spring elements positioned at and bearing against said apex, the lower edges of said spring elements positioned at the lower edges, respectively, of said side walls, d. whereby movement of the side walls towards each other is accompanied by vertical movement of the apex and compression of the spring members in their own respective planes.
 2. The seal of claim 1 wherein said walls and legs are integral and are of elastomer.
 3. The seal of claim 2 wherein said spring members are of metal wire.
 4. The seal of claim 2 including a second pair of legs coextensive with said side walls, in the form of an inverted V, whose lower ends are secured, respectively, to the lower edges of said side walls and whose upper sides join to form an apex, and a second pair of spring elements disposed in the form of a V, with their upper edges positioned, respectively, at the upper edges of said side walls and their lower edges positioned at and bearing against the Apex of said second pair of legs.
 5. The seal of claim 4 wherein said second pair of spring members are of metal wire.
 6. The seal of claim 1 including a second pair of legs, in the form of an inverted V and coextensive with said side walls, the lower ends of which are secured, respectively, to the lower edges of said side walls and whose upper ends join to form an apex, and a third spring element positioned between the apices of said first and second pair of legs and lying in a vertical plane midway of said side walls. 